View source for Honda CR250M

{{Motorcycle
|name             = Honda CR250M
|photo= 1975_honda_Cr250m1.jpg
|aka              = 
|manufacturer     = Honda
|parent_company   = 
|production       = 73-76
|model_year       = 
|predecessor      = 
|successor        = [[Honda CR250R]]
|class            =Motorcross 
|engine           = 250
|bore_stroke      = 
|compression      = 
|top_speed        =75 mph 
|power            = 
|torque           = 
|ignition         = 
|spark_plug       = {{sparkplug|NGK B9EV}} '73-76
|battery          = 
|transmission     = 
|frame            = 
|suspension       = 
|brakes           = 
|front_tire       = {{tire|3.00-21}} '73-76
|rear_tire   	  = {{tire|4.00-18}} '73-76
|rake_trail       = 
|wheelbase        = 
|length           = 
|width            = 
|height           = 
|seat_height      = 
|dry_weight       = 
|wet_weight       = 
|fuel_capacity    = 
|oil_capacity     = 
|recommended_oil= Honda GN4 10W-40
|fuel_consumption = 
|turning_radius   = 
|related          = 
|competition      = [[Suzuki TM250]]
|final_drive= {{chain|520x106}} ‘73-76<ref name="wps_street_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 Western Power Sports Catalog|publisher=[https://www.wps-inc.com/catalogs Western Power Sports]|date=2019}}</ref>
|front_sprocket= 14T ‘73-76<ref name="wps_street_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 Western Power Sports Catalog|publisher=[https://www.wps-inc.com/catalogs Western Power Sports]|date=2019}}</ref>
|rear_sprocket= 47T ‘73-76<ref name="wps_street_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 Western Power Sports Catalog|publisher=[https://www.wps-inc.com/catalogs Western Power Sports]|date=2019}}</ref>
}}

The '''Honda CR250M''' is a [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Honda]] from 1973 to 1976.

By 1973 [[Honda]] had a reputation for building outstanding [[4-stroke]] [[motorcycles]].  However, two-stroke bikes offered by other manufacturers such as Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha were winning the road racing events. Furthermore, in the 1970's, four-stroke motorcycles did not stand a chance against two-strokes in motocross racing. In 1973 Honda stunned the world with its revolutionary Elsinore CR250M two-stroke.

It was Honda's first two-stroke (apart from some early attempts 25 years before) and the first purpose-built, production motocross machine from Honda. It changed motocross bikes forever with its light weight, 29 horsepower over a broad [[Revolutions per minute|RPM]] band, and superlative handling. As a complete package, it challenged the established European dominance.

In 1973, a modified Elsinore ridden by Gary Jones won the first [[AMA]] 250 Nationals. In time, it became the most successful motocross bike in AMA history, winning 24 National and [[Supercross]] titles.

The CR250M Elsinore was replaced in 1978 with the [[Honda CR250R]].

==Intro==
Introduced in February 1973, the revolutionary Elsinore was Honda's first two-stroke sold in America and the first purpose-built motocross machine from the world's largest motorcycle producer. And it changed the face of American motocross forever.
Few things have the power and longevity of a good idea. There are countless examples of them in Honda's history, and one of the most significant is the 1973 CR™250M Elsinore.

Originally known simply as the Elsinore, it was the first production motocrosser from Honda and the first two-stroke Honda sold in America. The Elsinore was a pure motocrosser-fast, reliable and good handling. In addition to its well-rounded approach, the Elsinore was distinguished by its lightness. A beautiful polished aluminum fuel tank (Who can forget the green stripe on top?!) chrome-moly frame, silver plastic fenders and magnesium bits scattered throughout gave the Elsinore a jewel-like persona.

With 29 horsepower on tap, the five-speed, 225-pound Elsinore had a power-to-weight ratio and handling that redefined the 250 motocross class. Shortly after its arrival on the scene, the Elsinore carried Gary Jones to the 1973 AMA 250 National title - Honda's first. Led by the original Elsinore, Honda CR250s have won an astounding 24 National and [[Supercross]] titles.

The Elsinore began a lineage of innovative Honda motocrossers leading directly to today's sophisticated aluminum-framed CR250R. Like the current CR, the Elsinore (and 125 Elsinore that followed in 1974) was the most technologically advanced motocrosser of the day.

Perhaps even more significantly, the Elsinore began Honda's commitment to American [[motocross]], a commitment that had a profound impact on the growth and popularity of a sport still in its infancy. The Elsinore name dropped off the [[Honda CR250R|CR250]] in 1982, but the impact of this revolutionary machine lives on in a sport that has captured the heart and commands the attention of mainstream America.

==1973-1974==
<gallery>
Image:honda_Cr250m0.jpg|Honda CR250M
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-0.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-1.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-2.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-3.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-4.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-5.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-6.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-7.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-8.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M-9.jpg|1973 Honda CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M0-Silver186-0.jpg|1973 Honda Elsinore CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M0-Silver186-1.jpg|1973 Honda Elsinore CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M0-Silver186-2.jpg|1973 Honda Elsinore CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M0-Silver186-3.jpg|1973 Honda Elsinore CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M0-Silver186-4.jpg|1973 Honda Elsinore CR250M0
Image:1973-Honda-CR250M0-Silver186-5.jpg|1973 Honda Elsinore CR250M0
Image:1974-Honda-CR250M0-SilverGreen-7457-0.jpg|1974 Honda CR250M0 Elsinore in Silver/Green
Image:1974-Honda-CR250M0-SilverGreen-7457-1.jpg|1974 Honda CR250M0 Elsinore in Silver/Green
Image:1974-Honda-CR250M0-SilverGreen-7457-2.jpg|1974 Honda CR250M0 Elsinore in Silver/Green
</gallery>

The Honda Elsinore CR250M0 was sold in 1973-74. One color was available: the fuel tank was polished aluminum with no paint except for a green stripe on top. The number plates were silver metallic with a green center panel. The fenders were plastic painted silver metallic. The Exhaust pipe was a downswept system. The engine was a single cylinder 2-stroke displacing 248cc with a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began CR250M-1000216.

==1975==
[[Image:1975_honda_Cr250m1.jpg|left|thumb|Honda CR250M]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-3868-0.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 Elsinore]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-3868-1.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 Elsinore]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-3868-2.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 Elsinore]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-3868-3.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 Elsinore]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-3868-4.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 Elsinore]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-3868-5.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 Elsinore]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-3868-6.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 Elsinore]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-Red-3457-0.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 in Red]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-Red-3457-1.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 in Red]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-Red-3457-2.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 in Red]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-Red-3457-3.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 in Red]]
[[Image:1975-Honda-CR250M1-Red-3457-4.jpg|left|thumb|1975 Honda CR250M1 in Red]]
<br style="clear: left"/>


The CR250M1 Elsinore was sold in 1975 in one color: Clear with Tahitian Red and White. The gas tank was polished aluminum with a red stripe on top. The fenders were white, color-impregnated plastic. The number plates were red with black panels. It featured upswept exhaust system and forward mount shocks. The engine was a single cylinder 2-stroke displacing 248cc with a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began CR250-2000001.

==1976==
[[Image:1976_honda_Cr250m.jpg|left|thumb|Honda CR250M]]
[[Image:1976-Honda-CR250-Elsinore-Red-4775-0.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Honda CR250 Elsinore in Red]]
[[Image:1976-Honda-CR250-Elsinore-Red-4775-1.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Honda CR250 Elsinore in Red]]
[[Image:1976-Honda-CR250-Elsinore-Red-4775-2.jpg|left|thumb|1976 Honda CR250 Elsinore in Red]]
<br style="clear: left"/>

The CR250M'76 Elsinore was sold in 1976 in Tahitian Red. The gas tank, number plates, and frame were red. The fenders were also red, color impregnated plastic. The engine, handlebars, and number plate panels were black. It featured upswept exhaust system and forward mount shocks. The engine was a single cylinder 2-stroke displacing 248cc with a 5-speed transmission. The serial number began CR250M-1000216.

==See Also==
*[[Honda MR50]]
*[[Honda MR250]]
*[[Honda MT250]]
==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Honda}}
{{Honda CR}}
[[Category:Honda CR series]]
[[Category:Honda motorcycles|CR250M]]
[[Category:1970s motorcycles|CR250M]]
[[Category:250cc displacement motorcycles]]